Social Work

Social Work has been dubbed the “helping profession” because we work with everything from basic life resources to the complexity of fighting for victims of human trafficking. The program offers courses on issues such as abuse and neglect, mental health, and social policy — developing skills to be used with clients in both individual encounters and group settings. Learning how to impact the community in which clients live and empower people to make progressive changes are significant aspects of the program.

While we have achieved the highest level of accreditation possible, our program is more than just quality coursework. As a Social Work major at Evangel University you’ll be practicing social work from day one. Through activities like community outreach, leadership trips, professional development seminars, practicums, Social Work Club and Phi Alpha — the Social Work honor society — you’ll grow as a student, a Christian citizen and a future professional.

Social Work professors delight in watching students arrive on campus and then building a relationship with them in the Social Work University Seminar. During this time, we volunteer together in the community and have a blast in our weekly class together. This kicks-off a solid relationship that takes us into the rest of the college years. We have small classes, so we offer individual guidance as needed. Social Work students have a stellar reputation in the Springfield community and give about 3,500 hours per semester of volunteer work. During their senior year, Social Work majors volunteer 450 hours in an agency doing a practicum. Currently, we have a senior in New York City at the International Social Justice Center with the International Salvation Army. She works directly with various sub-committees within the United Nations focusing on women’s issues, trafficking and various other social issues.

The program’s main goal is to graduate social work professionals who know how to function as BSW professionals in an agency setting or gain admittance to a MSW program. We mentor students in their four-year educational journey and use Springfield as our training ground. Program expectations are intense as students are required almost weekly to become involved in a variety of agency events.

Want to see exactly what classes you will take? The Program Plan (sometimes called a degree sheet) includes all specific requirements - including University proficiencies, Frameworks courses and degree requirements.

Each of Evangel's academic programs is made up of a set of core curriculum, program requirements and electives. The courses listed below are just a small sample of courses that might be taken as a part of this specific program.

Introduction to Social Work

An introduction to the social work profession and a variety of fields of social work practice. Includes the philosophy, historical development and core concepts of social work along with an overview of the integration of faith and practice.

Human Diversity and Behavior

Introduction to theoretical, practical and cultural issues related to diverse populations. Historical, political and socioeconomic forces are examined that impact discriminatory and oppressive values, attitudes and behaviors in society.

Helping Relationships

A study of the core communication skills essential to helping relationships. Basic listening and action-oriented skills within the context of professional values and a multi-disciplinary theory base, including issues related to working with diverse populations. Emphasis on experiential role-playing and practice in non-verbal expression, active listening, exploration, constructive confrontation, conflict resolution, and other interviewing skills essential to a professional helper.

Abuse and Neglect in U.S. Families

A study of abuse and neglect in the U.S. and across the lifespan. Sexual, physical, and emotional abuse and neglect are addressed. Theoretical models of understanding the phenomena and treatment for both the victim and offender. Attention is given to developing a framework for the church's response to families in crisis.

Social Policy

Survey of the American social welfare system and related fields of practice. Examines major social welfare policies from various perspectives in light of current political and economic trends. Attention to social work values and ethics related to the social welfare system with a focus on at-risk populations and the impact of social and economic justice issues. The role of the church within social welfare system is addressed.

Evangel University's world-class faculty is made up of caring, Christian professionals who are distinguished in their fields and dedicated to the development of tomorrow's Christian leaders.

Donna Washburn, MSW, LCSW, is a 1998 graduate of Evangel University’s Social Work program. She went on to receive her master’s degree from Missouri State University and eventually returned to teach upper level social work courses at Evangel in 2000. She also became coordinator of the EU’s evening Human Services Program. Washburn was named chair […] read more

Social Work Program Director Lacey Nunnally, a Mississippi native, obtained both her undergraduate degree and Master of Social Work from the University of Southern Mississippi. She has experience working in nursing homes and rehabilitation centers and has owned a consulting business to deal with social work compliance in long-term care facilities. Nunnally came to teach […] read more

Evangel's academic programs are designed specifically to prepare you for a career in the real world. But it's more than just job preparation; it's preparing you to make a full impact in your profession through the unique combination of faith and learning. Here are some of the professions this degree would prepare you for:

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Evangel’s Criminal Justice program provides a solid foundation for students to become involved in the multifaceted criminal justice system, which includes law enforcement, juvenile justice, probation and parole, corrections, private security and the courts. The Criminal Justice program also prepares students to apply their Christian worldview to the realities of our culture and ...

About Evangel

Evangel is an accredited, liberal arts university with more than 100 academic programs on the cutting edge of today's professional fields. Our commitment to the integration of faith, learning and life attracts students from a wide variety of Christian denominational backgrounds who have a strong commitment to academics with a desire to combine their Christian faith with every aspect of their lives.